New UT inquiry surfaces

New UT inquiry surfaces

NCAA looking at intern Rubio's trip with coach Lane Kiffin.

December 12th, 2009by Wes Rucker in Sports - College

Tennessee head football coach Lane Kiffin stands to the side Thursday before answering questions on the upcoming Chik-Fil-A bowl and recent reports of a possible NCAA investigation into the football program.

Rubio, who is not one of the staff's designated off-campus recruiters, would have committed an NCAA violation by recruiting with Kiffin at Fort Lauderdale's St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

Athletic director Mike Hamilton told the Times that the SEC's concern was whether Rubio assisted recruiting efforts or contacted players during the trip. Hamilton told the Times he was not aware of any proof that Rubio recruited during the trip, and that UT offered the SEC all the information it requested.

Hamilton told the Times "someone else (would) make that determination" of whether to forward the Rubio situation to the NCAA.

The Times wrote that Rubio graduated from and volunteered at Aquinas earlier in his career.

UT is also dealing with an NCAA review into a trip two Orange Pride student ambassadors took to a football game in South Carolina earlier this fall.

Kiffin said Thursday he was not aware of any UT wrongdoing in the Orange Pride matter, but the NCAA could view the trip as illegal recruiting by nonsanctioned UT personnel.